Security forces kill 21 India-backed terrorists in multiple KP operations: ISPR

• Operations conducted between September 3 and 5: ISPR.
• Forces remain resolute in defending nation's frontiers: ISPR.
• Kabul failed to ensure effective border management: ISPR.

Security forces killed at least 21 India-backed Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists during multiple engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.

According to the military's media wing, the terrorists were neutralised during engagements between September 3 and 5.

"Following the successful engagement by security forces on the night 31 August/1 September 2026 along the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border in North Waziristan District, 10 more khawarij holed up in the area were sent to hell, increasing the total number of khawarij who were trying to infiltrate and effectively neutralised by security forces to 25," read the communique.

Security forces had killed 15 terrorists while foiling a infiltration attempt along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border opposite North Waziristan district on the night of August 31 and September 1.

Meanwhile, the ISPR said that security forces picked up movement of another group of khawarij along the border in North Waziristan.

Security forces effectively engaged the group, killing seven militants, it added.

Four more terrorists were also neutralised in two different encounters in Kohat and Dera Ismail Khel districts during joint operations, the ISPR said.

The military maintained that repeated incidents along Pakistan-Afghanistan border have once again vindicated Pakistan's stance regarding the Afghan Taliban regime's failure to deny the use of Afghan soil to the terrorist organisation, under their patronage, for cross-border terrorism.

"The Afghan Taliban regime has consistently failed to ensure effective border management and honour its international counter-terrorism obligations," the ISPR said.

Security forces, however, remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation's frontiers, it added.

Sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored kharji found in the area.

Pakistan witnessed a surge in terror activities, particularly in its KP and Balochistan provinces, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban came into power.

According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the two provinces remained the country's main hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026, with KP emerging as the worst-affected region.

The report stated that KP and Balochistan together accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded during the quarter. Of the total deaths, more than 61% (475) were reported in KP, while Balochistan accounted for 34% (265).

KP also recorded the highest number of violent incidents, with 151 cases, representing 57% of the nationwide total. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, or 35%, underscoring the concentration of militant activity in the two provinces.